President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, commissioned the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and several other strategic road infrastructure projects in Nigeria, reiterating the commitment of its administration with the local content, the transfer of technology and national development.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held in Lagos, the president addressed the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and other ministers that supervise the federal infrastructure projects to guarantee a strict adherence to the laws of local participation, transfer of skills and training of Nigerians.
Tinubu also issued a strong warning to real estate developers, stating that the Federal Government will no longer compensate for constructed structures without external approved or setbacks.
“Let me warn all developers that the federal government will apply setbacks. If it is not for anything, but for the interest of the nation. Developers who do not obtain approval will not be compensated,” he said. “We have gazetted and published the setbacks, and we will apply them in any way possible.”
The president praised the work of engineer Ronald Chagoury and his team to stop the invasion of the Atlantic Ocean on Victoria and Ikoyi Island, describing it as an almost miraculous achievement that saved Lakes from a great environmental disaster.
“I said we would do it, and we did it. We signed a disaster greater than a tsunami,” he said.
Appealing to continuous public patience amid economic reforms, Tinubu assured the Nigerians that the country's economy is on a recovery route, citing better currency stability and relieving food inflation.
“Hope is here. Our economy is recovering,” he said. “Apello to the Nigerians to be more patients with us. The reward of our hard work is beginning to manifest.”
The coastal highway of Lagos-Calabar, one of Nigeria's most ambitious infrastructure projects, is a 700-kilometer road that covers nine coastal states: Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Phase I complete, section I, extends from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village on the Lekki Peninsula.
President Tinubu praised Hitech Construction Company to execute the project using the continuously reinforced reinforced concrete pavement, a deviation from the traditional flexible pavement, which affects greater durability and a longer shelf life.
“This project shows that Nigerian companies can comply with world class standards in infrastructure development,” said Tinubu, expressing pride in indigenous experience and innovation.
Other projects commissioned by region:
Sur-Sur: • Rehabilitation of the Calabar-UP-Katsina-Ala (Section II) • Duization of the ESTE-EASTE (ELEME JUNCTION-AHOADA, RIOS) • Rehabilitation of the Alesi-UGEP section (CROSS River) • Update of Eleme Juncion-Anne Port Road (15 km section)
Southeast: • ENUGU – Port Harcourt Road (Section III: ENUGU – Lokpanta) • New bridge in Akpoha (Ebonyi state) • Reconstruction of the enugu bridge in the new artisan market
Southwest: • Lake Lake Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan (Section II, Oyo Status) • Ikorodu-Shagamu Road (Lagos) • Emergency repairs of the EKO bridge (Alaka-Apergbon) • Access road to deep waters (EPE to the Shagamu-Benin expression)
North Central: • Shendam bridge (Plateau state) • Ilobu – Erinle Road (Kwara/Osun)
Northeast: • Jimeta Bridge (Yola, Adamawa)
Northwest: • Yakasai – Badume – Damargu – Marken Zalli Roads (Kano) • Kano – Kwanar Danja – Hadaja Road (Kano Section – Jigawa)
New marked projects: • Ibadan – Ifia – ilesha – Akure – Benin Road (Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Edo) • Nembe – Brass Road (Bayelsa) • Enugu -ennsha Tarriageway (107km) • Tsaria – Hunkuyi – Kufur – Gidan Mutum Day Road (Kaduna/Kano) • Kano – MA. Section I: I: D: D: Kano – Wudil – Shuarin, 105 km) • Kano Northern ByPass • Maiduguri ByPase
The president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who attended the event, promised a continuous legislative support for the administration's efforts to reposition the economy through infrastructure and reforms.
The Minister of Works, Senator Umahi, revealed that the federal government had spent 18 billion in compensation for people affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar road. He reaffirmed the directive of President Tinubu that all projects must prioritize the well -being of Nigerians and environmental sustainability.
The event was adorned by governors of Lagos, Delta, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Borno, Ekiti, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River and the Imo states. Notable attendees included Prof. Wole Soyinka, National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu, the Chagoury brothers, and the main business leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu and the president of the UBA, Tony Elumelu.
President Tinubu concluded with a call to public property and protection of national infrastructure.
“These projects belong to all Nigerians. We protect and keep them so that generations after us can benefit from them.”
Read too Main stories OF Nigerian tribe